Sea Turtle Association of Japan, Kuroshima Research Station

Kuroshima Research Station started in 1973, under the name of the UnderwaterPark Foundation, Yaeyama Underwater Park Research Institute,　for the purpose of managing and utilizing the underwater area in Sekisei(Jap. 石西) lagoon between Ishigaki(Jap. 石垣) Island and Iriomote(Jap. 西表) Island including Kuroshima(Jap. 黒島) Island. From the beginning, it worked as an unparalleled ocean research station, and existed until 2002 under the financial support of Nagoya Railroad Business Operations Co. Ltd.At present Kuroshima Research Station belongs to the NPO Sea Turtle Association of Japan. Its activities worthy of mention are its 30 years’research into the nesting of sea turtles, especially confirmation of the nesting of the hawksbill turtle for the first time in Japan, in addition to confirming the nesting of green sea turtles. Their research regarding acanthasters and corals deserves special mention. In 2005, they sponsored the Japanese Sea Turtle Conference, which is held every year at the location of sea turtles nesting rookeries in Japan.

Location: 136 Kuroshima, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, Japan 907-1311 (phone/fax: [phone])

Facilities

Collection Exhibit Room

Specimens of corals, sea turtles, and sea shells are displayed with explanations of the marine life in the coral reef. There is a library area where students and other visitors can study using illustrated books and materials.

Organism Rearing Room

These temporally accommodate sea turtles which are to be released with markers and transmitters. Young sea turtles hatched at the facility are also open to public viewing. Visitors can see the three kinds of sea turtles up close, including the new-born sea turtles after July. Besides marine life, the living organism of Kuroshima Island, such as the Sakishima(Jap. 先島) pit viper and coconut crab, are reared and exhibited so that visitors can see the fauna of Kuroshima Island.

Conference room

Slide projector, OHP, and blackout curtains are available. Usable for small meetings, overnight training, and seminars.

Services

Marine guides

Underwater excursion assisted by researchers from the station. Training in snorkeling is available. Tours include underwater observation of coral and tropical fish and explanations about marine life.

Night guides

Nighttime observations and lectures hosted by researcher from the station. Recommended because of the presence of the poisonous Sakishima pit viper on the island, and as artificial light cannot be used on the Nishinohama strandas it is the nesting spot for the sea turtles.

External links

* [http://www.umigame.org/ Sea Turtle Association of Japan]
* [http://www.iucn.jp/english/index.html Japan Committee for IUCN]
* [http://web.mac.com/wallacejnichols/iWeb/wallacejnichols/Media-Print/E37B51AE-08EA-4A4D-9A60-88D580A680E7.html Mexican, Japanese and U.S. Fishermen Celebrate Sea Turtle's Epic Journey and Commit to Conservation]
* [http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/006/english/index.html The nature of Yaeyama Islands]